Archive for October, 2014

Many children look forward to Halloween as a time to dress up and go trick-or-treating in Los Angeles, Irvine, Santa Ana, Riverside or surrounding areas. Trick-or-treating can be a fun time for all, but there are also risks. In fact, recent data from State Farm reveals that more kids die in pedestrian accidents on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Parents need to be aware of the added risk of pedestrian collisions, and should follow some safety tips to help ensure kids stay safe. If a collision happens and kids are hurt or killed, a personal injury lawyer should be consulted for help.

Pedestrian Accident Risks on Halloween

The data from State Farm on Halloween collisions is troubling. State Farm reviewed more than four million records of motor vehicle collisions from 1990 to 2010 to determine how many children are killed on October 31. According to records on collisions:

115 child pedestrian fatalities occurred on Halloween over the 21 years included in the State Farm study.

An average of 5.5 child pedestrian fatalities happened on Halloween each year. This is more than double the average of 2.6 child pedestrian fatalities on other days of the year.

The most dangerous time for child pedestrian collisions was the 6:00 to 7:00 time when daylight fades and day turns to night.

A full 60 percent of the deadly pedestrian accidents on Halloween happened between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

More than 70 percent of the children were killed in the middle of the block, rather than the corners. Children who run out between cars are more likely to be in the middle of the block.

Children between the ages of 12 and 15 were the age group most likely to be killed in a pedestrian accident on Halloween. Kids in this age group accounted for 32 percent of all child fatalities.

Children between the ages of five and eight were the second most likely age group to be involved in a deadly pedestrian crash. Kids in this age group accounted for 23 percent of fatalities.

Drivers aged 15 to 25 accounted for almost 1/3 of all of the fatal pedestrian collisions that involved child pedestrian accidents on Halloween. Adults in the age groups of 30-40 and 61 to 65 were the least likely to be involved in child pedestrian collisions on Halloween.

Parents should be aware of these risks and take steps to help their kids avoid harm. Safe Kids Worldwide has provided many Halloween safety tips to reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents. For example:

Kids should be taught to cross the street only at corners and never in the middle of the block. Whenever possible, kids should cross at a traffic signal or on a crosswalk.

Kids always need to look both ways before crossing the street and while walking across.

Kids should walk, not run, across the street and should not use electronic devices while crossing.

Kids should be taught to make eye contact with drivers before going across the road.

Finally, children under 12 should trick or treat only with an adult and should not be out alone at night without adult supervision.

If you’ve been injured, or you lost a loved one, contact the Law Offices of Daniel C. Carlton at (949) 757-0707 to speak with a personal injury attorney in Irvine, CA.